Christian James Orozco Manio

Christian James Orozco Manio, better known as “Cj” to the family was born on January 20th, 2001 at Holy Rosary Medical Clinic in Angeles City, Pampanga Philippines. On January 16th, 2021, Cj joined our creator surrounded by his loved ones at University of Maryland Medical Center Shock Trauma.

The youngest of the three children of Esperanza and late Romeo Manio, Cj grew up with two older sisters Nina Roselle and Alyssa Marie O. Manio. At the age of 2, Cj moved with his family to the United States and settled in Maryland. He spent most of his life in Berwyn Heights, and attended Berwyn Heights Elementary School, Greenbelt Middle School, and graduated from Parkdale High School in 2019. After graduation, Cj enlisted in the Army Reserve. He completed his basic training in January 2020 and his AIT training on April 2020. Afterwards, Cj enrolled in University of Maryland Baltimore County as a pre-engineering student while proudly serving as an Army mechanic for the 312th PSYOP Company in White Plains, Maryland as Private First Class Manio. He planned to join ROTC while in college to become a military officer and serve the next 20 years with the military.

Cj was very fun loving and adventurous. He loved to travel, see places and experience new things. He’s gone to different countries, road tripped across the United States with his family and had many more adventures planned including traveling to Down Under. Cj is also a tinker. As a kid, his favorite hobby was building Legos and Bionicle's. He loved to work with his hands, disassembling, building and creating all kinds of things. At the age of 12, Cj chose the parts and assembled his very first computer on his own. He was also part of the Chess and Robotics club in middle school. In high school he developed an interest in photography, played tennis, and was a player for the Parkdale’s varsity lacrosse team. His love for building and tinkering matured into assembling intricate Gundam pieces, enrolling to be an engineer and carried on to the military where he enlisted and trained as a mechanic. Cj’s biggest project currently was restoring a 1994 Mazda Miata. Immediately after purchasing the car he had taken it apart and was a week away from completion.

Always happy, funny, and kind, Cj loved to be surrounded by his friends and family. He was always ready and willing to help in any way he can to those in need. He would take any opportunity to make jokes and keep life interesting. Cj was always on the go, never really wanting to keep still. Yet, he was very mature for his age and took responsibility to help ensure a better life for his family. He was an amazing son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend. Cj was a role model to his younger cousins who looked up to him.

Cj touched the lives of so many in the short time that he was here on earth. He is truly unforgettable and will be sorely missed.